SOLUTION: Pecking Issues to the point of death

[MorningCrowing]

Our family has major pecking issues. HELP!

 

[Kiki]

Welcome to Backyardchickens.com aka BYC!
We are glad you joined our flock.
Jump right in and make yourself at home.

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CURRENT COOP CONTEST click here >>#1

 

[sylviethecochin]

Feathers and flesh both contain large amounts of protein. I would start with that. Move your flock to a higher-protein feed and see if that helps.

Also check out your space. Requirements are variable, but the generally accepted minimum is four square feet of space each in the coop (16 square feet = four birds) and ten square feet in the run.

Add some distractions and line-of-sight breaks. My coop contains an upside-down five gallon bucket in the middle, for example (the pullets duck around it and the older hens consider it too much effort to follow them), though that's hardly an efficient deterrent if you already have a problem. One thing you could do is divide your coop lengthwise with an upright piece of plywood that's not touching either wall, so that the hen can run in a circle around it and lose her pursuers. (secure it carefully--no sense having one of your hens smooshed by falling wood)

Invest in a anti-peck product. Some stores sell a tar-like wound care product that tastes really nasty. It may come in the form of an ointment or a paint.

A good rooster stops disputes really well. They break up fights and protect all of their hens. That may not be a viable option for you, but I always like having a rooster around.

 

[sourland]

Welcome to BYC. Number and breed of birds, coop size, age, feed ==============

 

[Kiki]

Welcome to BYC. Number and breed of birds, coop size, age, feed ==============

X2..
How many birds in what size of space would be my first questions.

 

[007Sean]

Howdy Happy to have you join the family. Enjoy your time here at BYC!

 

[Teila]

G’Day from down under MorningCrowing Welcome!

I hope you enjoy being a BYC member. There are lots of friendly and very helpful folks here so not only is it overflowing with useful information it is also a great place to make friends and have some fun.

BYC has Topic of the Week articles which I have found to be a great resource and a one stop shop for questions which may have already been discussed within the BYC membership group. This one in particular may be of interest to you:
Topic of the Week - Feather Pecking/Eating

I do hope you are able to find the cause and resolve the situation.

 

[lazy gardener]

All of Sour's questions need answers before any practical assistance can be provided. Also, general location, low and high temperatures, are you providing supplemental light or heat? Any new additions/subtractions to the flock? Mill date of feed, and protein percentage?

 

[Pork Pie]

Hi and welcome to BYC. This link is particularly useful, in terms of space requirements - http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/how-much-room-do-chickens-need

For further assistance, I'd suggest trying to answer all the great questions above in a new post on this forum - https://www.backyardchickens.com/forums/managing-your-flock.2/

 

[N F C]

I hope the links provided are helpful.

Best of luck